J. Russell-Rowe Columbus Crew Forward #19: Performance Analysis and Season Highlights
Hey, if you’re keeping an eye on rising stars in Major League Soccer, Jacen Russell-Rowe—number 19 for the Columbus Crew—is a name you’ll want to remember. This young forward has really started to turn heads with his lively play and knack for being in the right spot at the right time. At just 22, he brings a burst of energy and clever movement to the Crew’s attack. You can’t help but notice his promise—it’s catching attention in Columbus and across the league.
Did you catch his recent two-goal performance in a big win over Atlanta United? That was Russell-Rowe showing up in a crucial moment, delivering when the Crew needed him most. Since he signed with the Crew, he’s become a player to watch. His journey started with an electric season for Crew 2—21 goals in just 19 matches, according to the Columbus Crew’s official site.
Here’s a quick look at his recent numbers:
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| Season | Team | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Crew 2 | 19 | 21 |
| 2025 | Columbus Crew | See MLS.com for updates | Recent key performance: 2 goals vs. Atlanta |
If you want stories and stats about up-and-coming MLS talent, you’re definitely in the right spot.
Contents
Profile of Jacen Russell-Rowe
You see a player who goes straight at defenders and has a real nose for goal. Jacen Russell-Rowe’s building a solid reputation in MLS as a forward with a strong background—and he’s got the athletic tools to match.
Personal Background
Russell-Rowe was born on September 13, 2002, in Toronto, Ontario. He’s got Jamaican roots, so there’s a cool mix of Canadian and Caribbean influence in his life. He learned the game in Brampton YSC’s youth system, then moved up to Toronto FC’s academy.
After a year at college, he jumped to Columbus Crew 2. Right away, he made an impact—21 goals in 19 matches during the first MLS Next Pro season, helping the club win the title. Now, he’s up with the Crew’s first team, wearing number 19, and he’s even earned call-ups to Canada’s national team. You can get more on his backstory at his Columbus Crew player profile.
Quick Facts Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacen Rex Orlando Russell-Rowe |
| Position | Forward |
| Birthdate | September 13, 2002 |
| Age | 22 |
| Place of Birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| National Team | Canada |
| Jersey Number | 19 |
| Heritage | Jamaican roots |
Physical Attributes
Standing at 6 feet tall, Russell-Rowe brings a strong, modern forward’s frame. He’s right-footed, and he uses that to finish and create chances up top.
Watch him on the move—he’s got the balance to hold off defenders and the burst to get into space. His acceleration on the counter is easy to spot, and he stays cool in front of goal.
He uses his size to shield the ball and get into dangerous spots for passes or rebounds. Sure, his height helps in the air, but it’s his agility and technical skill that really set him apart.
Russell-Rowe keeps working on his game, building up his physical and tactical skills to meet MLS demands. If you want a deep dive into his stats, check his Transfermarkt profile.
Columbus Crew Career
Russell-Rowe has brought a spark since joining the Crew as a forward, proudly wearing number 19. His jump from Crew 2 to the first team injected some real excitement into the attack.
Joining Columbus Crew
After one year in college, Russell-Rowe signed with Crew 2 for the very first MLS NEXT Pro season. He made an immediate impression, and the Crew moved quickly to bring him up.
He became the first Crew 2 player to earn an MLS contract with the first team, securing his spot through 2024, with options for 2025 and 2026. The Crew showed real belief in him, trading for Homegrown Priority and using General Allocation Money to get it done.
MLS Appearances and Impact
Russell-Rowe has chipped in with goals and assists, giving the Crew another attacking threat. He’s gotten minutes in big matches, including the playoffs. You probably remember him helping the Crew win the 2023 MLS Cup.
Here’s a quick stat line since he joined the first team:
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Playoff Matches | MLS Cup Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
As a forward, he’s always in the mix—either finishing himself or setting up teammates. For up-to-date stats, check Russell-Rowe’s official Crew profile.
Columbus Crew 2 and MLS NEXT Pro
Russell-Rowe jumped right in with Crew 2 and made noise in MLS NEXT Pro, racking up awards and goals. His time there really set the stage for his move to the senior squad.
MLS NEXT Pro Achievements
When Russell-Rowe hit the field for Crew 2 in that first MLS NEXT Pro season, he wasted no time. He led the league with 21 goals in 19 games—yeah, that’s the Golden Boot in his first year.
He picked up MVP honors and was named Player of the Month for both May and June 2022. He helped Crew 2 win the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup, putting his finishing and leadership on display.
| Statistic | 2022 Season (MLS NEXT Pro) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 21 |
| MVP | Yes |
| Golden Boot | Yes |
| Player of the Month | May, June |
| MLS NEXT Pro Cup | Winner |
That kind of performance gave Crew 2 a big edge and put him on the radar for the first team. You can read more about his record season on the Columbus Crew official page.
Development and Progression
Russell-Rowe’s time with Crew 2 was a real growth spurt. He left college early, signed with Crew 2, and just kept climbing thanks to his skill and focus.
Playing in MLS NEXT Pro gave him the minutes and pressure to mature quickly. Those games sharpened his movement and finishing—traits the Crew’s coaches really value.
He didn’t just score; he learned to press, make good decisions, and play for the team. That foundation set him up to be a reliable forward at the next level. For more on his development, check the MLS NEXT Pro Alumni Spotlight.
Notable Performances and Milestones
Russell-Rowe has made a real impact at Columbus Crew, coming up big in important moments across the season. His goals and key assists have helped the Crew get crucial results.
Key Goals and Assists
You notice Russell-Rowe’s goal-scoring instinct, especially after his breakout with Crew 2. In the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season, he led the league with 21 goals—a huge number for any young forward.
With the Crew’s first team, he’s kept producing, chipping in assists and goals against teams like Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire, and Toronto FC.
His smart positioning and finishing have kept him in the mix offensively. Whether it’s a calm strike in the box or a sneaky pass to set up a teammate, he’s made himself valuable.
Here’s a snapshot of some key stats:
| Season | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 19 | 6 | 7 |
| Crew 2 | 19 | 21 | 6 |
| 2023 Playoffs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Defenses have a tough time planning for him, especially when he links up with other attackers.
Decisive Matches
Russell-Rowe built a reputation for showing up in big games. During the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, he made two appearances as the Crew pushed to the title. Even off the bench, his energy and movement changed the game’s pace.
You might remember the “Hell is Real” derby against FC Cincinnati. In those high-pressure moments, Russell-Rowe’s pressing and hustle created chances. Even when he didn’t score, he helped win the ball and disrupt defenses.
Facing Atlanta United or Philadelphia, he brought extra attacking punch in tight matches.
He played a part in important regular season wins and knockout games. As a starter or a sub, his awareness and work rate gave Columbus Crew that extra edge—especially when they needed it most, like lifting the 2023 MLS Cup.
International and Collegiate Career
Jacen Russell-Rowe has shown his versatility and talent at both the international and college level. He’s played for Canada in key youth tournaments and made an impression in NCAA soccer with the Maryland Terrapins.
Canadian National Team Experience
Folks, if you’ve followed Russell-Rowe, you know he’s been making waves with Canada’s youth squads. He played for the U-17 national team and even got on the pitch at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
That tournament? It threw him right into the fire against some of the world’s best young players. He gained some real-deal international experience there.
Russell-Rowe didn’t stop at the youth level. He joined the senior Canadian national team setup, suiting up for CONCACAF matches and bringing his club form onto a bigger stage.
That move really shows his growth. He’s not just along for the ride—he’s proving he’s ready for top-level competition.
Canada included him in squads for big-time events like the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa América. Those call-ups? They speak volumes about his potential as Canada gears up for future tournaments, maybe even the World Cup.
National Team Statistics
| Tournament | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA U-17 World Cup | 3 | 0 |
| Senior Canadian National Team | caps | — |
College Soccer at Maryland
Let’s rewind to Russell-Rowe at the University of Maryland. Right away, you could see his impact—he didn’t waste any time showing what he could do for the Terrapins in NCAA action.
Even as a freshman, he earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. That’s a big nod to his talent among the rookies.
His speed and technical ability? Those made him a regular starter, no question. He played a key role in keeping Maryland competitive in a tough Big Ten Conference.
That stint at Maryland really set the table for his jump to the pros.
During his season with the Terrapins, Russell-Rowe played 11 matches, scored 2 goals, and added 1 assist. Not bad for a first-year player, and honestly, it set the tone for what came next.
Recognition & Awards
Jacen Russell-Rowe has turned heads with his skill and his knack for scoring goals. He’s carving out a reputation as one of the brightest young stars in North American soccer.
Individual Accolades
Russell-Rowe’s scoring touch brought him some major hardware. In 2022, he banged in 21 goals in just 19 games and took home the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer.
He didn’t stop there—he earned the MLS NEXT Pro Most Valuable Player award that same year. That’s for his impact and leadership with Columbus Crew 2.
You’ll even find his name in the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, which is no small feat. He helped Columbus Crew 2 lead the league in goals and goal difference, and he played a huge part in their playoff charge.
These honors really underline his value as a forward and show just how much he’s progressing.
| Award | Year | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot | 2022 | 21 goals |
| MLS NEXT Pro MVP | 2022 | League’s most valuable |
| MLS NEXT Pro Best XI | 2022 | Selected among top players |
Transfer and Contract Details
Jacen Russell-Rowe’s journey with Columbus Crew puts a spotlight on how MLS clubs are developing young talent. His signing highlights the benefits of the homegrown player system and how teams use General Allocation Money to build a roster.
Homegrown Player Status and GAM
Russell-Rowe made his way to the Columbus Crew after turning heads with Crew 2. The club signed him to his first MLS contract in June 2022.
He’s officially a homegrown player—yep, he climbed up through the Crew’s own academy. That label lets the Crew sign him outside the usual MLS SuperDraft, which saves them roster spots and a bit of cap space.
With homegrown status, the club gets some salary cap wiggle room. Only part of his pay actually counts against the cap, so there’s some flexibility there.
Columbus locked in Russell-Rowe with a deal through 2024. They even added options for 2025 and 2026, so the Crew holds his rights for a while. Honestly, for a young player with his upside, that’s a pretty smart move.
General Allocation Money—GAM, as the league folks call it—gets involved when teams juggle homegrown contracts. Teams use GAM to lower salary budget charges or to pick up homegrown rights from other clubs.
But as far as anyone can tell, Columbus didn’t use or trade GAM to bring in Russell-Rowe. His signing stands out as a textbook example of why clubs pour so much energy into their academies.
You get cost control, stability on the roster, and a chance to get creative with league rules. If you’re curious and want a deeper dive, check out the Columbus Crew’s announcement of Russell-Rowe’s contract.
